Southern Greece, Peloponnese, Mantinea (c. 460 BC), Silver Triobol, 2.95 gms., die axis 360°, bear walking to the left on dotted ground line, rev. /KM-A/k and dolphin within incuse square with dotted border (Boston 1259; cf ACGC 285), countermark on bear, choice very fine, toned and extremely rare

Details

Southern Greece, Peloponnese, Mantinea (c. 460 BC), Silver Triobol, 2.95 gms., die axis 360°, bear walking to the left on dotted ground line, rev. /KM-A/k and dolphin within incuse square with dotted border (Boston 1259; cf ACGC 285), countermark on bear, choice very fine, toned and extremely rare

Provenance

Purchased from Dr. Jacob Hirsch in 1949 for $110
R. Jameson Collection, no. 1261
Consul E.F. Weber Collection, Hirsch Sale XXI, 1908, lot 2046

Further details

Mantinea was situated in Arcadia where there was a legend that the mother of Arcas, legendary ancestor of all the Arcadians, had been turned into a bear by Hera. The countermark on this coin is very similar to that on lot 606, from nearby Olympia.